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Two policemen test the bonds of friendship in A Steady Rain, premiering July 12-23 at the Powerhouse Theatre

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The Vassar College and New York Stage & Film Powerhouse Theatre Season will present the world premiere of A Steady Rain, by playwright Keith Huff, directed by Trip Cullman, and featuring Adam Rothenberg and Josh Stamberg, from Wednesday, July 12, through Sunday, July 23. A Steady Rain is intended for mature audiences, and thirteen performances of the drama will be held in the Powerhouse Theatre, including evenings at 8:00 p.m. and weekend matinees at 2:00.

A Steady Rain tells the story of two Chicago policemen who are lifelong friends, and their differing accounts of a few harrowing days that changed their lives. Beth Fargis-Lancaster, executive producer of the Powerhouse Theater, describes it as a "play of enormous power, compassion and theatricality."

A mainstay of Chicago theater, playwright Keith Huff's work has been produced Off-Broadway and nationally, including The Bird and Mr. Banks, The Age of Cynicism or Karaoke Night at The Hog, Dog Stories, Mud People, and Birdsend. Huff has developed plays for The O'Neill Theatre Center National Playwrights Conference, The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, New York Stage and Film, and Steppenwolf, among many others. Recognition for his work includes a Drama-Logue Award, the Cunningham Prize, and three Illinois Arts Council Playwriting Fellowships. Huff holds an MFA from the University of Iowa's Playwright's Workshop.

Adam Rothenberg ("Joey") recently filmed one of the lead roles in Fox's television pilot DAMAGES. He is also one of the leads in the WB's upcoming half-hour comedy MISCONCEPTIONS, opposite Jane Leeves (FRASIER). This past winter Rothenberg played the Scottish storyteller "Chimney Bosch" in the MCC Theater's THE WOODEN BREEKS, directed by Trip Cullman. His other recent New York theatre includes the lead in Second Stage's revival of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, as well as his critically acclaimed role in The Women's Project's BIRDY. Outside of New York, starred opposite Patricia Clarkson as 'Stanley Kowalski' in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the Kennedy Center's Tennessee Williams Festival. At the Williamstown Theatre Festival he starred as 'Lord Darlington' in LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, directed by Moises Kaufman, and as 'Doug' in Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros's MOTHER OF INVENTION, directed by Nicholas Martin.

Josh Stamberg ("Denny") recently finished shooting the feature film Fracture, starring Anthony Hopkins. He spent the year playing the role of "Stephen" opposite Jenna Elfman, on the CBS series Courting Alex. His films also include Must Love Dogs, A Lot Like Love, The Time Machine, and Kate & Leopold, and on television he's been seen in Over There on FX, Six Feet Under, Monk, Grey's Anatomy, Love-Monkey, CSI, CSI:Miami, NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Spin City, and Sex and the City. Stamberg originated the role of "Jon" in the NY, LA, and London productions of Tape, by Stephen Belber. Off-Broadway, he's been seen frequently with The Atlantic Theater Co. and MCC Theater, and at The Actor's Studio was in Chambers and Power Failure, both directed by Arthur Penn. Stamberg has also had roles at the Williamstown and O'Neill festivals.

Director Trip Cullman, "Has earned a reputation for being a director to watch," according to Powerhouse executive producer Beth Fargis-Lancaster. Cullman's New York work includes The Wooden Breeks, Dog Sees God, Swimming in the Shallows, Roulette, Last Sunday in June, The Vortex, The Propaganda Plays, Atom & Devorah, 2XTennessee, and Dracula. He was Associate Director with Joe Mantello for Take Me Out, and with Mike Nichols for The Seagull production at New York's Central Park. Cullman was creative assistant for the HBO Films production of Angels in America, and Artistic Director of Yale Cabaret during the 2000-2001 season, and his regional credits also include Rash, Murder of Crows, and Great and Secret Revolutions. His degree in directing is from the Yale School of Drama.

Tickets for A Steady Rain are $25 and can be ordered from the Powerhouse Theater Box Office, by calling (845) 437-7235 and (845) 437-5599, or visiting http://powerhouse.vassar.edu/home.html.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential, liberals arts college founded in 1861.